Since supercritical fluid has the benefit that slight changes in the temperature and pressure in the critical region cause extremely large change in the solvent density and thus its dissolving power, its application has been enlarged. In this study, c...
Since supercritical fluid has the benefit that slight changes in the temperature and pressure in the critical region cause extremely large change in the solvent density and thus its dissolving power, its application has been enlarged. In this study, calcium carbonate(CaCO₃) particles impregnated in silicone rubber network were extracted by using supercritical carbon dioxide and pore distribution of silicone tubber-CaCO₃ was investigated with varying amount of extract. Silicone rubber has excellent mechanical properties such as heat-resistance, cold-resistance. Silicone rubber-CaCO₃ composite sheets were prepared by kneading processes. And then CaCO₃ particles become dispersed and impregnated in silicone rubber network. Supercritical carbon dioxide diffuse through composite sample, then sample is swollen. CaCO₃ in silicone rubber network is dissolved in supercritical carbon dioxide, and its sites become pores. Pore distribution and pore shape are observed by SEM(scanning electron microscope). Porous silicone rubber is suited for uses such as chromatographic devices, catalytic membranes, and adsorbents of organics.